Professor Malcolm Joyce
Distinguished Professor & Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award Holder, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise)Research Interests
Professor Malcolm Joyce is Distinguished Professor of Nuclear Engineering at Lancaster, where he also serves as Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise). In this executive role, he is responsible for advancing Lancaster’s research environment, culture, and global reputation for excellence.
Professor Joyce is recognised internationally for his contributions to nuclear science and engineering. His research is focused on the development of advanced measurement techniques and radiation detection systems. His investigations contribute to improving the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of nuclear energy systems, with applications in both civil and defence contexts.
Professor Joyce has led numerous research projects funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and other major UK and international bodies. His research integrates experimental science with innovation in analytical and computational methods for radiation and energy systems.
Leadership and Impact
As Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), Professor Joyce plays a key role in shaping Lancaster University’s strategic research agenda. He leads initiatives to strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration, enhance research culture, and support the translation of academic innovation into societal and industrial impact.
His leadership extends beyond the University, contributing to national policy and professional dialogues on nuclear energy and scientific innovation. In particular, his research influenced nuclear materials measurement policy at the International Atomic Energy Agency and decommissioning strategy in the UK.
Recognition and Awards
- Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award, recognising outstanding contributions to nuclear science, 2016-2021
- Institution of Civil Engineers, Watt medal, 2014
- International recognition for advancing measurement science in radiation detection
- Author on > 350 peer-reviewed articles
- Author of the text 'Nuclear Engineering' (Butterworth-Heinemann).
Malcolm welcomes proposals for PhD study in the areas of radiation detection and measurement, and isotopic monitoring techniques relating to the environmental assessment of radiological consequences. Funded opportunities open currently are described here: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/engineering/study/phd/phd-opportunities/#accelerator-mass-spectrometry-studies-of-trace-radioactivity-in-industrial-effluents-343451-2.
PhD Supervision Interests
Nuclear safeguards, contamination monitoring, radiation imaging, environmental assay, robotic deployment.
Resilient Nuclear Instrumentation for Hydrogen Generation
01/12/2025 → 28/02/2026
Research
In-situ analysis and discrimination of insoluble beta-emitting activity for contaminated land and effluent characterisation
01/10/2025 → 30/09/2029
Research
National Nuclear User Facilities access scheme management group
01/04/2025 → 31/03/2030
Research
Small Scale Experiments for Tritium Breeding (SSETB)
09/01/2025 → 31/03/2026
Research
Core Equipment 2024
01/01/2025 → 30/06/2026
Research
DSI: Late-stage commercialisation for time-of-flight neutron spectrometer
01/10/2024 → 30/09/2026
Research
DSI: Late-stage commercialisation for time-of-flight neutron spectrometer
01/10/2024 → 30/09/2026
Research
Application of compact gamma-ray detectors on robotic platforms for locating radionuclides in confined spaces
01/07/2024 → 31/03/2025
Research
Application of compact gamma-ray detectors on robotic platforms for locating radionuclides in confined spaces
01/07/2024 → 31/03/2025
Research
Nuclear Fuel-debris Characterisation via Multimodal Spectroscopy and Analytics (NuFAMSA)
01/11/2023 → 31/03/2026
Research
Capture Gamma-ray Assessment in Nuclear Energy (C-GANE)
16/10/2023 → 15/10/2027
Research
Detection and quantification of water in spent fuel
02/10/2023 → 01/10/2027
Research
Advanced borehole trials for land quality monitoring applications in nuclear decommissioning
01/04/2023 → 30/09/2023
Research
Feasibility study of waste water detritiation (EPSRC IAA funded)
01/04/2023 → 31/03/2025
Research
JUNO: A Network for Japan - UK Nuclear Opportunities
01/03/2023 → 29/02/2024
Research
Radiation Hardened Robotics for Remote Inspection
01/11/2022 → 31/12/2025
Research
Process intensification of a high throughput wastewater detritiation
01/10/2022 → 31/03/2025
Consultancy
Ground Level Enhancement Event Monitor (Implementation Phase)
01/09/2022 → 31/03/2024
Research
Ground Level Enhancement Event Monitor (Implementation Phase)
01/09/2022 → 15/03/2025
Research
Autonomous Inspection for Responsive and Sustainable Nuclear Fuel Manufacture (AIRS-NFM)
06/09/2021 → 05/10/2025
Research
Ground Level Enhancement Event Monitor (GLEEM)
28/06/2021 → 27/06/2022
Research
Advancing Location Accuracy via Collimated Nuclear Assay for Decommissioning Robotic Applications
08/04/2021 → 07/01/2026
Research
RAIN Extension Stream B
01/04/2021 → 31/03/2022
Research
RAIN extension Stream A
01/04/2021 → 30/09/2021
Research
STFC IAA: Impact Acceleration Account 2021
01/04/2021 → 31/03/2022
Research
Improved Radioactive source location and characterisation via empiricial transform anaylsis
01/09/2020 → 30/09/2021
Research
AMS-UK: A UK Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Facility for Nuclear Fission Research
01/11/2019 → 31/03/2024
Research
UTGARD LAB PHASE II: A SIMFUEL FABRICATION & CHARACTERISATION FACILITY
01/11/2019 → 30/06/2023
Research
In-situ groundwater monitoring to improve identification of ground/soil contamination volumes and associated contaminated in-ground infrastructure that may remain at the Site End State (Soraia Elisio)
03/10/2019 → 29/02/2024
Research
iCASE: Electrokinetic In situ Decontamination of Entrained Radioactivity (EIDER)
01/10/2019 → 30/09/2023
Research
iCASE: Electrokinetic In situ Decontamination of Entrained Radioactivity (EIDER)
01/10/2019 → 31/03/2024
Research
Reliability Limits of Programmable Protection Systems
23/04/2019 → 30/03/2020
Research
BEIS: Knowledge Transfer Plan for Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards
25/02/2019 → 04/03/2020
Research
Neutron production and shielding characterisation at DCF using neutron spectroscopy and imaging device under development at Lancaster
01/10/2018 → 30/09/2019
Research
JUNO: A Network for Japan - UK Nuclear Opportunities
17/11/2017 → 16/11/2022
Research
IS 2015 - Advanced Materials
01/06/2015 → …
Research
Institutional Sponsorship 2015
01/06/2015 → 31/03/2016
Research
Industrial Doctorate Centre: Nuclear Engineering
01/10/2009 → 31/03/2018
Other
Agenda: UK - Japan Meeting and Workshop 2023/24
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
- AIRS-NFM
- Doctorate Centre in Nuclear Engineering
- Energy Lancaster
- Energy Lancaster Nuclear
- Nuclear
- Space Weather